Abstract

Chronic anemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases outcome in patients with heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy and uncontrolled hypertension. This study was performed to analyze the prevalence of anemia among cardiac patients and to determine the relationship between anemia and socio demographic characteristics. The study design is a cross sectional based on 300 cardiac patients ( ≥ 19 years) who were hospitalized in ALShifa hospital (Gaza) for 3 months period during the year 2012. The analysis includes socio demographic data, traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and Laboratory test included (hemoglobin and clearance creatinine measurement). Collected data was analyzed by using statistical package for social science version 20.0.Anemia was defined as Hemoglobin less than < 12 g/dl in female and less than 13 g/dl in male based on World health organization criteria. Among 300 patients, 181patients (60.3%) were anemic and 119 (39.7%) were non-anemic. The mean age for all population was 61.4 years. Mean age of patients with anemia tends to be higher (63.9 years) than non-anemic (57.7 years) and the differences between the two means reached statistical significant level (P value < 0.001). Anemia was more common in female (71.4%), older age (71.1%), diabetics (70%), impaired clearance creatinine (70%), hypertensive’s (65%) and low education level (64.5%). The highest proportion belonged to valvular heart disease (77.8%), congestive heart failure (74.6%) followed by hypertension (54%), and the lowest is coronary artery disease (46%). Logistic regression reveals that low education, low clearance creatinine level, smoking and diabetes are independently associated with anemia. We conclude that Anemia is common among cardiovascular disease patients, and worsens the prognosis of their clinical condition. Intervention policies to minimize anemia risk factors are needed.